A new mix for 2001 playoffs
 
Daily Herald

By David Oberhelman and Kevin Schmit Daily Herald Sports Writer
Posted on October 21, 2001
 

For the third straight year, the entire contingent of DuPage Valley Conference playoff qualifiers will compete in the same half of the bracket.

The only difference this time is that it's in a brand new class.

The IHSA announced the football playoff pairings from Naperville Central's press box Saturday night, representing a group of 256 teams playing for eight state titles.

Daily Herald Photo/Paul Michna
Daily Herald Photo/Paul Michna


With the expansion to eight classes, all five DVC qualifiers - a conference record - will play in the bottom half of the Class 8A bracket.

Because the pairings are determined entirely on formula, the bunching of DVC teams is coincidental.

But it's also disappointing for the conference many feel is the strongest in the state. Dreams of a game like 1995's 6A title showdown - a 22-21 win by Wheaton Warrenville South over Naperville Central - will have to wait another year.

"That's the one thing I'd like to see, is two teams in the conference get to the title game," said Wheaton North coach Matt Foster, whose program qualified for the first time since 1996.

"But I don't think it matters because it's a whole new season," said Foster, the Falcons' fourth-year coach who is making his first postseason appearance. "I'm just really excited. It's a great feeling for the coaches, the kids and the school."

Of the 26 area football schools, 17 made the playoffs. All 5-4 teams in the state qualified except four - including Willowbrook, which had 34 playoff points but missed out based on a secondary tiebreaker determined by the total number of wins by defeated opponents.

Two hundred, fifty-six teams qualified. Willowbrook was No. 257.

Glenbard South (5-4) was the final area team to qualify. The Raiders are the 31st seed in 6A and travel to No. 2 Richards (9-0).

With Glenbard West qualifying for the first time since 1994, both Glen Ellyn high schools are in for the first time since 1977.

"I'm very happy for the kids, who worked hard all week long and all season long," said Hilltoppers coach John Karpowicz. "It was our goal and we achieved it, so it's got to be very satisfying."

For the third straight year, Naperville Central enters the playoffs unbeaten as DVC champions - and as a No. 1 seed.

In an opening-round 8A game, the Redhawks play host to No. 32 Schaumburg in a rematch of the 1999 6A title game won by Naperville Central.

"We don't care who we play, when we play or where we play," said Redhawks coach Joe Bunge. "As long as we play."

After an 0-3 start, Downers Grove North (5-4) enters as the No. 27 seed in 8A. The Trojans travel to play No. 6 Fremd (8-1).

"First of all, we're glad to be in it, that's step number one," said coach Pete Ventrelli, whose team could face No. 11 Downers South in the second round. "They've got a great program at Fremd, so it'll be a great challenge for us."

WW South qualifies for the 14th straight time, coming in 22nd-year coach John Thorne's final season.

Just like the DVC, the Upstate Eight is represented by five teams. The UEC matched that feat once before in 1997, but all five teams were eliminated in the first round.

Three UEC teams play SICA-Blue teams in the first round, including No. 19 Sandburg at No. 14 Lake Park and No. 30 Waubonsie Valley at No. 3 Thornton.

Montini coach Chris Andriano, a qualifier for the ninth straight year, faces an interesting matchup against Peotone in 4A, which was divided across the middle of the state into two groups of 16.

Andriano's brother, Dave, is in his second year as defensive coordinator at Peotone.

"I was hoping that wouldn't happen - brother versus brother," Andriano said. "It adds a different dimension to the game."

Among the top first-round matchups is in 8A, where No. 28 Naperville North (5-4) travels to play No. 4 Hinsdale Central (8-1).

Hinsdale South (9-0) went unbeaten in the regular season for the first time in program history, and enters as the second seed in 7A to play host to No. 31 Alton.

Possibly awaiting in the second round is No. 15 Mt. Carmel - a nine-time state champion.

 

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